Value of China's Imports, Exports Rise 0.8% in April 2014

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources China (Beijing, China)--The value of China's international trade in April increased 0.8% from the same month last year, to reach $358.63 billion. In comparison with March, combined imports and exports in April rose 7.9%, the General Customs Administration of China (GCAC) said on Thursday.

April exports totaled $188.54 billion, an increase of 0.9% from April 2013. Imports in April rose 0.8% to $170.09 billion.

As a result, China saw a trade surplus of $18.45 billion in April.

Factoring in seasonal adjustments, China's combined imports and exports in April rose 0.6% from the year-earlier month, including a 0.7% increase for exports and a 0.6% increase for imports.

Compared with March, seasonally adjusted trade rose 7.7% in value, including a 9.8% increase in exports and a 5.4% increase in imports.

General trade in China increased 8.7% to $196.99 billion in April when compared with the same month last year, accounting for 54.9% of the total trade volume. Export values reached $98.87 billion, an increase of 11.5%, and imports reached $98.12 billion, an increase of 6.1%.

The European Union remained China's biggest trade partner in April, with total trade value reaching $51.33 billion, an increase of 11.3% from April 2013. Trade with the U.S. increased 5.2% to $45.44 billion, and trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) rose 3.9% to $39.12 billion.

However, trade between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in April fell 31.3% to $28.15 billion, compared with April 2013. Trade with Japan reached $27.28 billion, an increase of 4.1%, and trade with South Korea reached $24.48 billion, an increase of 6.6%.

China's accumulated trade from January through April fell 0.5% to $1.3 trillion, compared with the first four months of 2013. Exports fell 2.3% to $679.78 billion, while imports increased 1.4% to $644.54 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $35.25 billion.

General trade in China reached $729.65 billion for the first four months of 2014, an increase of 9.2% over the same period last year. Exports rose 7.7% to $347.02 billion, and imports rose 10.6% to $382.62 billion.

China imported 305.34 million metric tons iron ore during the first four months of 2014, a jump of 20.7% from the same period last year. Coal imports reached 111 million metric tons, an increase of 2.3%. Crude oil imports increased 11.5% to 102.61 million metric tons.

Looking to the future, the GCAC predicted that the export of China will be optimism, and the growth will be rebounded in the future.

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